The American Heart Association is sounding an urgent warning about the cardiovascular dangers of e-cigarettes, citing a growing body of scientific evidence that links chemicals in the devices to heart rhythm disruptions, blood vessel damage, and increased risks of heart attack and stroke. In a press release issued June 29, 2026, the association emphasized that e-cigarette aerosol is often misrepresented as harmless water vapor but actually contains a mix of chemicals, additives, sweeteners and flavoring agents, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Many of these are classified as harmful or potentially harmful constituents.
New research published earlier this month in Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology found that synthetic cooling chemicals used in some e-cigarettes may disrupt heart rhythm, pointing to potential risks such as irregular heartbeat and cardiac arrest. This adds to multiple lines of evidence showing that people who use e-cigarettes can be exposed to toxic substances like formaldehyde and heavy metals, which are linked to cardiovascular, respiratory and cancer-related health risks. Nicotine, a highly addictive chemical present in nearly all e-cigarettes, can damage the heart and other vital organs by raising blood pressure and heart rate, narrowing blood vessels, and forcing the heart to work harder. Over time, these effects can lead to heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and peripheral artery disease, which may result in lower limb amputation.
The American Heart Association's 2023 scientific statement on e-cigarettes highlighted that inhaling e-cigarette aerosol may contribute to oxidative stress, inflammation, damage to blood vessel function, and changes that can lead to atherosclerosis. Jason J. Rose, M.D., M.B.A., an American Heart Association volunteer and associate professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, noted, “A growing body of research shows that people who use e-cigarettes can be exposed to chemicals that can harm the heart and blood vessels.” The level of nicotine in e-cigarettes is also a concern; one e-cigarette can contain as much or more nicotine as a pack of cigarettes, increasing the risk of addiction and perpetuating a cycle of use.
Claims that nicotine improves focus or memory are not supported by evidence, the association said. While nicotine may produce short-term changes in attention, these effects are modest and often reflect relief from withdrawal symptoms rather than true cognitive enhancement. Over time, nicotine exposure, especially among young people, can harm brain development and is associated with changes in attention, learning, and impulse control, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Youth use remains a critical concern, with most young e-cigarette users reporting flavored products that appeal to them and increase the likelihood of continued use and progression to other tobacco products.
The findings come as federal and state officials consider whether e-cigarettes and other nicotine products should be sold in the United States. The American Heart Association has long supported policies to prohibit the sale of all flavored commercial tobacco and nicotine products, including menthol, and to support quitting, prevent initiation, and strengthen research. Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association, stated, “The tobacco industry relentlessly targets kids and communities with fruit-, candy- and menthol-flavored tobacco products that encourage use, facilitate addiction and increase profits. After decades of selling products that cause disease and death, tobacco and nicotine companies cannot be trusted to protect public health. No tobacco or nicotine product can be considered safe.” The association also supports access to FDA-approved nicotine replacement therapies and counseling to help people quit. For more information, visit the American Heart Association's resources on Five Steps to Quit Smoking and Vaping and their Policy Positions.
